Thursday, February 7, 2013

Bud Light Platinum (2013 original review)

I’m often amazed by how some low ABV beers can have so much flavor.
Well, the complete opposite is true of Bud Light Platinum. Seriously,
how can a beer of 6% ABV have next to no genuine flavor? In a weird way
it’s actually a feat or achievement in brewing. But at the end of the
day it’s still a bad beer.

Appearance: Pale, straw, golden hue. Crystal clear with plenty of
carbonation visible. A vigorous pour produces a two-finger, bright
white, foamy head which evaporates rather quickly (but not completely).
Leaves no lacing on the glass.

Smell: Pretty much the same as every macro adjunct lager, though
noticeably sweeter and actually a bit cleaner. Nothing repulsive to the
nose.

Taste: When I first saw the marketing for Bud Light Platinum I didn’t
understand how a 6% ABV beer could honestly be called "light." Then I
took my first swig and I understood. It definitely lives up to its name
in that it has essentially the same flavor as regular Bud Light (as in
next to none). A bit cleaner and milder tasting than some of the higher
gravity malt liquors (because that’s really the style this beer belongs
to).

There’s a slightly sharp, metallic flavor through the middle and a hint
of lemon at the apex. The finish is awful, though, as a wave of
astringency, boiled corn, tinfoil and a mélange of off-flavors come
whooshing in to kill what is otherwise a fairly tolerable palate. If you
subtract these flavors, intensify the lemony/citrusy character with
real hop presence you would have a drinkable beer. But this is the way
it’s supposed to taste and I can’t say I’m surprised. It’s a struggle to
finish even a single serving. I don’t think this product will last very
long.

Drinkability: Though the taste and body are light, the overt lack of
refreshment makes it counter-productive. Between the repulsive taste and
the overly fizzy mouthfeel, Bud Light Platinum is the most difficult to
drink light beer ever. I have to admit I’m impressed by how well the
brewers were able to hide the 6% ABV, as there is no raw alcohol
presence at all. However, I cannot attest to how fast the booze catches
up with you because I’ve been unable to drink more than 8oz at a time.

63.3 - 3.5B-ABOVE AVERAGEThe lowest I can rate a beer and still honestly give it a thumbs up. The attributes are enough to overshadow the flaws. Nothing I'd jump for joy about, but a drinkable, satisfactory beer to be sure.

53.0 - 3.2C+AVERAGE/NEUTRALNot quite a good beer, not quite a bad beer. I don't have a strong opinion either way about it. There may be something to like here, but there's also something holding it back.

42.8 - 2.9CBELOW AVERAGEThe best of the worst. A beer with noticeable flaws and perhaps some minor attributes. Tolerable for a serving, but no reason to seek it out. A genuine thumbs down, but not something I despise.

32.6 - 2.7C-TOLERABLEWhile not the worst beer, there's probably nothing about it that I like. Plenty of off-putting features. I can tolerate a single serving, but would recommend avoiding it.